Key Terms & DEFINITIONS

Developed by and for experts and advocates in both the runaway and homeless youth (RHY) and the domestic and sexual violence (DV/SA) fields, the Toolkit provides information, resources, tips and tools to better address relationship violence with runaway and homeless youth. DV/SA providers will find information designed to increase their understanding of runaway and homeless youth and the network of programs and services working with them and, conversely, RHY providers will find resources on intimate partner violence and the programs and networks that provide protections and support to victims of violence.

As an introduction to a glossary of key terms and definitions used throughout the Toolkit and by RHY and DV/SA programs, please follow the link below.

Research & Resources

Why do we need to understand more about the intersection of runaway and homeless youth and relationship violence? Here are three good reasons:

Abuse and neglect at home is often the reason that youth end up on the streets and the experience of abuse at home may increase the risk of being abused or becoming abusive in adolescent and adult relationships.

The relationship violence that youth perpetrate or experience on the street is both similar and different than that experienced by their peers in more stable housing, with important implications for intervention and prevention efforts by both runaway and homeless (RHY) and domestic and sexual violence (DV/SA) programs.

There is more we can do to provide a stronger safety net for youth at risk and a broader set of resources to help all youth develop the skills to form and sustain healthy and safe relationships.

This Toolkit section includes an overview of research on the experiences of abuse and violence by runaway and homeless youth and the context in which relationship violence occurs.

Loves Me Not VIDEO

This video focuses on dating/domestic violence from the point of view of a 17-year old deceased victim named Cari. Cari was relentlessly beaten by her boyfriend, Marcos and so viciously bullied by his friends after leaving him that she, ultimately, took her own life. Now Cari finds herself helplessly watching the same thing happen all over again to another girl, Sharon (Marcos’ new girlfriend).

Click to watch Loves Me Not video: Clip 1 / Clip 2. This and other materials are available for purchase via the link.

“Most runaway and homeless youth providers screen for family violence but not necessarily partner violence. The intake form asked what’s going on at home, but youth won’t necessarily relate that to their boyfriend or girlfriend or someone they’ve been intimate with.”

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